Wire-marking device



June 12, 1923. 1,458,}! 55 v H. E. SHREEVE WIRE MARKING. DEVICE 'Filed Dec. 5, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet l WIRE MARKING DEVI CE Filed Dec. 5, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 12, 1923.

E E T A T if.

HERBERT E. SHREEVE, OF MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY.

WIBE-IVIABKING DEVICE.

Application filed. December 3, 1920. Serial No. 427,996.

I '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT E. SHREEVE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Maplewood, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in VVire-Marking Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has reference to improvements in marking devices, having for its principal object to provide a device for marking field wires used for communication purposes, either telegraphic or telephonic, in army field operations, which wires are liable to be out or damaged by enemy shell fire, and without the use of some mode of identification, are exceedingly difficult to repair and reconnect with their respective terminals.

It may be stated that the invention also aims to provide a simple but practical and efiicient means whereby field telegraphic or telephonic wires may be provided with identifying markings. in order that they may be instantly associated with their respective terminals, such for instance, as junction box, .or telegraphic or telephonic apparatus. Hence, should these wires so marked be damaged by enemy operations, it is apparent that the same can be readily recognized and in consequence, repaired and reconnected with the proper terminals.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a roll of the marking strip,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the stri F 1g. 4. is a fragmentary detail in perspective,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section of the improved wire marking device,

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the same,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the reel,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged detail in section showing the impression bracket,

Fig. 9 is a similar view taken at substantially right angles to Fig. 8.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, in connection with which like characters of reference will refer to corresponding parts throughout the several. views, the improved marking device per se consists of a 'strip of copper foil of suitable width arranged in coil fashion about the spool or drum 1 of a small circular container, designated in its entirety by the numeral 2, the copper foil being indicated at 8.

The container 2 is formed of interfitting sections 4 and 5, the section 4: being formed with a peripheral flange 6, one portion of which is cut away to permit of the passage of the strip of copper foil from the container when being used. A bracket 7 is secured to the peripheral flange 6 adjacent the strips discharge opening therein and as will be noted, has a flat leather strip 8 positioned longitudinally of the upper portion thereof, over which said copper foil strip is arranged so thatthe same may be written upon with a steel stylus 9 connected to the container by means of a chain 10 or similar connection. Openings 11 are formed in the upper portions of the sides of the bracket 7 and serve to facilitate engagement with the free end of the copper foil strip, while a knife 12 is positioned adjacent and secured to the outer end of such bracket 7, and has its cutting edge projected slightly above the leather supporting writing platen or strip 8, to afford means for severing a marked strip of foil from the main or body portion thereof by merely pulling said strip outwardly away from the bracket 7 for a distance clear of the writing thereon and then bringing the marked strip downwardly over the cutting edge of the knife.

For guiding the copper foil strip through the discharge opening in the peripheral flange 6 and preventing damaging of the same, I preferably secure to the inner side of said flange 6, a spring guide member 13,

- as at 14:, the outer end of such member extending through the discharge opening and being curved away therefrom as shown in the figure.

In using identification tags prepared with the aid of my improved device, it is necessary that the same be attached to the wires to be marked thereby and to facilitate such attachment, a suitable eyeletting punch (not shown) may be provided for enabling the prepared tag to be attached to the wire by the simple expedient of folding the metal strip around the wire and securing it by means of the aforesaid punch.

Instead of employing a simple copper foil strip, such as set out in connection with the first embodiment of the invention, I may, if

foil strip 15 secured to a base of friction.

tape 16.

5 In using this composite identification stripit will be understood that a container such as indicated at 2 will be unnecessary for housing the same, since the friction tape 16 Will afford an effectual carrying base and protector therefor. Further, the use of a punch will be eliminated, inasmuch as the tape is sufficiently sticky to cause its adher ence to a wire desired to be marked.

In using the form of identification means set out-in connection with the first embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the free end of the copper foil strip 3 is moved outwardly onto the leather supporting strip 8 whereuponthe proper stylus 9. With this particular identification means prepared,the strip is pulled further outwardly and when that portion of the same bearing, the riting is clear of the outer end of the bracket 7 such strip is then moved downwardly over the cutting edge of'the knife 12 whereupon it is severed from the body or feed strip. Since the writing on the copper foil strip will occur on the leather supporting strip 8, the same, naturally, will form an impression in the copper foil and inthis Way, provide such foil with indicating matter is written thereon by, the

a permanent andreadil-y readable identification not perishable by exposure to the elements.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capa'ble of considerable modification and such modification as is within the scope of my claims, I consider within the spirit of my invention.

I claim: 7

1. A device for housing and marking a strip of copper foil, com-prising a housing mg thereon.

2. A device for housing and marking a str p of copper foil, comprising a housing having. a discharge opening at one point in its marginal portion, a bracket-secured to said peripheral portion adjacent the discharge opening, a yieldable supporting strip onthe bracket for receiving'a portion of the copper foil strip, and means on said; bracket for facilitating the severing a prepared portion of the strip from its body portion.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature. v,

" HERBERT E. stints-Eva. a 

